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Ten... smart TVs

Net set and catch up

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Sony Bravia KDL-46HX923

As stylish as it is overpriced, Sony’s 3D-ready KDL-46HX923 is a high-flyer for all the right reasons. With edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass, integrated Wi-Fi and detail infused, high contrast HD imagery, it screams Business Class.

Of all the TV portals currently on offer, Sony’s Entertainment Network offers perhaps the richest supply of IPTV. With catch-up, YouTube, Daily Motion, LoveFilm, sundry bizarro channels, plus Sony’s own Movies Unlimited VOD film service, it’s hands down the best choice if you’re looking to save money on a traditional pay TV service.

Video file playback from USB includes MKV and AVI, while MP3s play back with album art. Across a network the TV drops support for MKVs, which is a bit clumsy.

Toshiba Regza 46WL863

This high-end 3D-ready LED LCD isn’t just smart, it’s a Mastermind. Sporting Toshiba’s proprietary multi-core CEVO Engine, it’s able to turn significant chunks of silicon over to processor-intensive tasks such as 2D-to-3D conversion and picture enhancement. The brand’s Resolution+ detail booster now makes streaming IPTV content, as well as Blu-ray and broadcast TV, look cleaner and sharper.

Unfortunately, this TV isn’t so canny when it comes to net connectivity. The brand’s online portal, Toshiba Places, still appears to be in unofficial Beta. With the exception of BBC iPlayer, YouTube and DailyMotion, available IPTV sources are subscription and there’s not much else of interest. At least when it comes to USB file playback, the set gets to shine. However, across a LAN video streaming runs dry, with only MPEG files trickling through. All brains and no brawn? ®